The University of Chicago is hiring a Senior Director, Data Strategy and Marketing Technology to lead a dynamic team of data and technology professionals in support of our fundraising and engagement goals. In this role, you will champion a data-driven culture, oversee data governance, and launch a marketing automation program to increase philanthropic impact.
What You'll Do
- Design and propose a comprehensive vision and strategy for new and improved reporting, data management, and marketing automations to further Advancement goals.
- Champion and drive adoption of the data strategy and a culture of data-driven decision-making throughout the organization.
- Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of technology professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Drive team success by aligning work with critical business initiatives and providing clear direction and project prioritization.
- Strengthen the team's knowledge of Advancement business priorities and processes.
- Advance and sustain a developing data governance program to boost data quality, speed and standardize data sharing, and ensure privacy and security.
- Design and execute strategies to equip business groups with timely, intuitive reporting solutions for data-driven decisions.
- Launch and lead a marketing automation program leveraging experiments, segmentation, and attribution analysis to increase conversion rates.
- Proactively engage with leaders of partner business units to align data strategies with their needs and goals.
- Oversee a portfolio of projects, driving planning, timelines, resource allocation, and clear communication with stakeholders.
- Monitor emerging technologies and leverage AI and automation to enhance efficiency and increase capacity.
- Seek opportunities for professional development and build networks within and outside the University.
- Manage managers and professional staff, establishing performance goals and allocating resources.
- Develop departmental plans to maintain administrative data, ensuring it is accessible, flexible, and suitable for analysis.
- Develop additional data warehouse and reporting environments as needed.
- Manage relationships with the University's primary software suppliers for end-user data access, query, reporting, and display.
What We're Looking For
- College or university degree in a related field.
- Knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Nice to Have
- Bachelor's degree in information systems, business administration, finance, economics, mathematics, operations research, marketing, or a related field.
- Master's degree highly preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in business intelligence, data analytics, or marketing research with at least five years in a leadership role.
- Proven track record of managing data teams and delivering complex projects.
- Minimum one year of experience developing and monitoring budgets.
- Strong project management skills, with an aptitude for leading end-to-end project delivery.
- Expertise in business intelligence, data visualization tools, SQL, and a deep understanding of database modeling concepts.
- Experience working in a Salesforce environment is strongly preferred.
- Ability to work across various teams and projects simultaneously, advancing unified strategy.
- Knowledge of fundraising, alumni relations, and higher education not required but strongly preferred.
- Exceptional skills in data analysis, interpretation, and the ability to drive business strategy through data-driven insights.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, and ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
- Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
- Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting.
- Self-motivated, take initiative, and think strategically.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and independently follow through with detail.
- Comfortable with ambiguity.
Technical Stack
- Business intelligence tools
- Data visualization tools
- SQL
- Salesforce
Team & Environment
You will lead a dynamic and growing team of data and technology professionals within Advancement Technology. The role may manage multiple teams of managers and/or professional staff and reports directly to the Executive Director of Advancement Technology.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation range: $148,750.00 - $175,000.00
- Health, retirement, and paid time off benefits (detailed in the University Benefits Guidebook)
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position located at 5235 South Harper Court in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.
